Councillor Andrea Bilbow OBE
Email: cllr.A.Bilbow@barnet.gov.uk
Council: Barnet
Council Profile: View on council website
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Positions, Voting Record & Activity Summary
Andrea Bilbow OBE's council service across multiple years reveals a consistent, though evolving, focus on remembrance, community well-being, and diligent adherence to council procedures. While earlier years show broader engagement with committee work and specific project oversight, her most recent activities, particularly in 2025 and 2026, highlight a strong emphasis on paying tribute to former colleagues and acknowledging significant community losses.
In 2026, Bilbow OBE's primary recorded action was a poignant tribute to former Councillor and Mayor of Barnet, Agnes Slocombe, on January 27th. This act of remembrance underscores a growing focus on honoring past contributions to the council and community.
Her engagement in 2025 further solidified this theme. Bilbow OBE demonstrated significant empathy and community spirit by conveying condolences to the Mayor of Ramat Gan following missile strikes and offering heartfelt tributes to victims of the Air India plane crash and the 7/7 bombings, specifically remembering eight Barnet residents. She also acknowledged the vital work of the fire service. Her October activities were marked by deeply personal and professional tributes to former councillors Vanessa Gearson and Agnes Slocum, showcasing her ability to connect with and honor her colleagues. Throughout this year, she also diligently managed declared pecuniary interests, ensuring transparency in council proceedings.
Looking back to 2024, Bilbow OBE's contributions were more varied, involving active participation in committee work. Despite some absences, she demonstrated leadership as a substitute at the West Area Committee, overseeing the London Nigerian Festival
CIL scheme and presenting the Vivian Avenue - Christmas Lights item. Her role as chair of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee in November, where she managed discussions on licensing policy and forward work plans, also indicates a capacity for strategic oversight. Her attendance at the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee further illustrates her commitment to diverse areas of local governance.
Overall, Andrea Bilbow OBE's priorities appear to have shifted towards a more pronounced focus on memorialization and acknowledging the human impact of events, particularly in her most recent years of service. While she has a history of active participation in committee work and project oversight, her recent contributions are characterized by acts of remembrance and expressions of solidarity. This evolution suggests a deepening appreciation for the legacy of those who have served and a commitment to acknowledging collective grief and resilience within the community. Her consistent attendance at council meetings and careful management of declared interests remain a bedrock of her council service.
Yearly Activity Timeline
In 2026, Andrea Bilbow OBE's primary recorded activity was attending a Council meeting on January 27th, where she paid tribute to former Councillor and Mayor of Barnet, Agnes Slocombe.
Monthly Activity in 2026
During January 2026, Andrea Bilbow OBE attended a Council meeting on Tuesday, January 27th. At this meeting, she was invited to pay tribute to former Councillor and Mayor of Barnet, Agnes Slocombe.
Meetings in January 2026
Council - Tuesday 27th January, 2026 7.00 pm - 27 January 2026
Andrea Bilbow OBE was present at the Council meeting on Tuesday 27th January, 2026. She was invited to pay tribute to former Councillor and Mayor of Barnet, Agnes Slocombe.
Throughout 2025, Andrea Bilbow OBE demonstrated consistent engagement with council proceedings, albeit with notable absences from some committee meetings. Her most significant contributions occurred in July and October. In July, she conveyed condolences to the Mayor of Ramat Gan following missile strikes and paid tribute to victims of the Air India plane crash and the 7/7 bombings, specifically remembering eight Barnet residents lost in the latter. She also requested gratitude for the fire service's efforts in fighting forest fires and led a moment of silence for the victims. In October, Bilbow OBE delivered heartfelt tributes to former councillors Vanessa Gearson and Agnes Slocum, sharing personal anecdotes and professional recollections. She also declared a pecuniary interest and recused herself from a vote during the October council meeting. While she attended several council and sub-committee meetings, her direct participation in speaking or taking specific actions was primarily focused on these memorial and tribute events, and managing declared interests.
Monthly Activity in 2025
During December 2025, Andrea Bilbow OBE attended the Extraordinary Council meeting on December 2nd. There is no record of her speaking or taking any specific actions during this meeting.
Meetings in December 2025
Extraordinary Council, Council - Tuesday 2nd December, 2025 7.00 pm - 2 December 2025
Andrea Bilbow OBE was present at the meeting. There is no record of her speaking or taking any action.
During November 2025, Andrea Bilbow OBE sent apologies for absence from the Licensing and General Purposes Committee meeting held on November 3rd.
Meetings in November 2025
Licensing and General Purposes Committee - Monday 3rd November, 2025 7.00 pm - 3 November 2025
Andrea Bilbow OBE sent apologies for absence from the Licensing and General Purposes Committee meeting held on 3rd November 2025.
During the October 21st, 2025 Council meeting, Andrea Bilbow OBE delivered tributes to former councillors Vanessa Gearson and Agnes Slocum. She remembered Gearson's intelligence and fearlessness as Cabinet Member for Education, despite political differences. For Slocum, Bilbow shared personal memories, including Slocum's welcoming embrace into the Labour Party and a shared recipe, as well as a memorable trip to a Windrush service at Windsor Castle. Bilbow also declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 14.2 due to a family member in a Barnet Care Home, recused herself from the vote, and rejoined the chamber afterward.
Meetings in October 2025
Council - Tuesday 21st October, 2025 7.00 pm - 21 October 2025
Andrea Bilbow OBE spoke in tribute to former councillors Vanessa Gearson and Agnes Slocum. Regarding Vanessa Gearson, she acknowledged their political differences but respected her intelligence and acumen, noting her fearlessness as Cabinet Member for Education.
In her tribute to Agnes Slocum, Andrea Bilbow OBE shared personal anecdotes, including how Agnes welcomed her into the Labour Party and shared her recipe for macaroni cheese. She also recounted driving Agnes and others to a Windrush service at Windsor Castle, describing it as a really wonderful day
.
Andrea Bilbow OBE declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 14.2 (Opposition motion - Caring for our Residents) due to a family member residing in a Barnet Care Home. She subsequently left the chamber for the vote on this item and returned afterward.
In August 2025, Councillor Andrea Bilbow OBE attended the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on August 14th as a member. However, there is no record of her making any statements or taking any specific actions during the meeting.
Meetings in August 2025
Licensing Sub-Committee - Thursday 14th August, 2025 10.30 am - 14 August 2025
Councillor Andrea Bilbow OBE was present as a member of the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on August 14th, 2025. However, the available documents do not indicate that she made any statements or took any specific actions during the meeting.
During July 2025, Andrea Bilbow OBE was active in a Council meeting on July 8th, where she conveyed condolences to the Mayor of Ramat Gan following missile strikes and paid tribute to the victims of the Air India plane crash and the 7/7 bombings. She specifically remembered the eight Barnet residents who lost their lives in the 7/7 attacks and requested that gratitude be conveyed to the fire service for their efforts in fighting forest fires. Bilbow OBE also led a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of both tragedies. She was also present as a member of the Licensing Sub-Committee on July 22nd, but there is no record of her speaking or taking action in those meetings.
Meetings in July 2025
Licensing Sub-Committee - Tuesday 22nd July, 2025 10.30 am - 22 July 2025
Andrea Bilbow OBE was present as a member of the Licensing Sub-Committee. There is no record of her speaking or taking any action during this meeting.
Licensing Sub-Committee - Tuesday 22nd July, 2025 11.30 am - 22 July 2025
Andrea Bilbow OBE was present as a member of the Licensing Sub-Committee. There is no record of her speaking or taking any action during this meeting.
Licensing Sub-Committee - Thursday 17th July, 2025 10.30 am - 17 July 2025
Councillor Andrea Bilbow OBE was present at the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on July 17th, 2025. However, the minutes do not record any specific contributions or actions taken by her during the meeting.
Council - Tuesday 8th July, 2025 7.00 pm - 8 July 2025
During the Council meeting on July 8th, 2025, Andrea Bilbow OBE conveyed condolences to the Mayor of Ramat Gan following missile strikes and read the content of her letter to him. She also paid tribute to the victims of the Air India plane crash, expressing condolences to any affected Barnet families. Bilbow OBE marked the anniversary of the 7/7 bombings, remembering the victims and honoring emergency services, noting that eight Barnet residents lost their lives in the attacks. She requested the Borough Commander convey gratitude to the fire service for their efforts in fighting forest fires in the Darlands Natural Reserve. Finally, she asked members to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the 7/7 tragedy and the Air India crash.
Licensing and General Purposes Committee - Tuesday 1st July, 2025 7.00 pm - 1 July 2025
Councillor Andrea Bilbow OBE was present at the Licensing and General Purposes Committee meeting on November 7, 2024. However, the provided document indicates no specific statements or actions taken by Councillor Bilbow during the meeting.
During June 2025, Andrea Bilbow OBE attended one meeting: the Licensing Sub-Committee on June 16th. She was present as a member of the committee, but there is no record of her speaking or taking any specific actions during this meeting.
Meetings in June 2025
Licensing Sub-Committee - Monday 16th June, 2025 10.30 am - 16 June 2025
Andrea Bilbow OBE was present as a member of the Licensing Sub-Committee. There is no record of her speaking or taking any action during this meeting.
During May 2025, Andrea Bilbow OBE attended the Annual Council meeting on Tuesday, May 20th. Her attendance was noted, but there is no record of her speaking or taking any specific actions during this meeting.
Meetings in May 2025
Annual Council - Tuesday 20th May, 2025 7.00 pm - 20 May 2025
Andrea Bilbow OBE was present at the Annual Council meeting on Tuesday 20th May, 2025. Her attendance is recorded in the list of present Councillors. There is no record of her speaking or taking any action during the meeting.
During March 2025, Andrea Bilbow OBE sent apologies for absence from the Budget Council meeting held on Tuesday 4th March, 2025.
Meetings in March 2025
Budget Council, Council - Tuesday 4th March, 2025 7.00 pm - 4 March 2025
Andrea Bilbow OBE sent apologies for absence from the Budget Council meeting held on Tuesday 4th March, 2025.
Throughout 2024, Andrea Bilbow OBE demonstrated a commitment to council duties, albeit with some absences and substitutions. In May, she was absent from the Annual Council meeting, missing key budget votes. However, she actively participated in September as a substitute at the West Area Committee, presenting the Vivian Avenue - Christmas Lights item and overseeing the allocation of funds for the London Nigerian Festival
CIL scheme. Her leadership was particularly evident in November when she chaired the Licensing and General Purposes Committee, skillfully managing discussions on licensing policy and forward work plans, and also attended the Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee as a substitute. Her attendance at the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee in July marks another instance of her engagement with local governance.
Monthly Activity in 2024
In November 2024, Andrea Bilbow OBE demonstrated leadership and active participation across two council meetings. As Chair of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee on November 7th, she skillfully managed the proceedings, including declaring a pecuniary interest and stepping down as chair for a specific agenda item. She actively engaged with reports, posed questions on accident increases and report accuracy, and sought agreement on recommendations for the revised licensing policy and forward work plan. She also acknowledged the work of officers on election reviews. On November 21st, she attended the Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting as a substitute.
Meetings in November 2024
Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee - Monday 25th November, 2024 6.00 pm - 25 November 2024
Councillor Andrea Bilbow OBE was present at the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee meeting on 25th November 2024.
Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Thursday 21st November, 2024 7.00 pm - 21 November 2024
Andrea Bilbow OBE attended the Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting on November 21, 2024, as a substitute for Councillor Chakraborty. She was welcomed to the meeting.
Licensing and General Purposes Committee - Thursday 7th November, 2024 7.00 pm - 7 November 2024
Andrea Bilbow OBE, in her capacity as Chair of the Licensing and General Purposes Committee, managed the meeting proceedings. She declared a pecuniary interest due to her employment with Thomson Solicitors for agenda item seven, proposing to switch its order with item six and subsequently stepping down as chair and leaving the room for that item. Throughout the meeting, she actively engaged with reports and discussions, thanking various individuals including Mr. Kumi, Mr. Shaw, Ms. Raglan, Councillor Ambe, and Councillor Stock. She posed questions regarding potential typos in reports, the increase in reported accidents, and sought agreement on recommendations for the revised licensing policy and the forward work plan. She also thanked officers for their work on the review of polling districts and polling places, and the GLA and UKPG Election Project Review. Finally, she confirmed there were no other urgent items, thanked everyone for their work, and closed the meeting.
During September 2024, Andrea Bilbow OBE attended the West Area Committee meeting on September 18th as a substitute for Councillor Ernest Ambe. She presented the Vivian Avenue - Christmas Lights item and was noted as the Ward Member for the London Nigerian Festival
CIL scheme, which received a budget allocation of £12,995.91. Councillor Bilbow left the meeting at 8:09 pm.
Meetings in September 2024
West Area Committee - Wednesday 18th September, 2024 7.00 pm - 18 September 2024
Andrea Bilbow OBE attended the West Area Committee meeting on September 18th, 2024, as a substitute for Councillor Ernest Ambe. She presented the Vivian Avenue - Christmas Lights item. Additionally, she was listed as the Ward Member for the London Nigerian Festival
CIL scheme, which was allocated a budget of £12,995.91. Councillor Bilbow departed the meeting at 8:09 pm.
During July 2024, Councillor Bilbow OBE attended the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee meeting on July 22nd. There is no record of her speaking or taking any specific actions during this meeting.
Meetings in July 2024
Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee - Monday 22nd July, 2024 6.00 pm - 22 July 2024
Councillor Bilbow OBE was present at the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee meeting on July 22nd, 2024. There is no record of her speaking or taking any action during the meeting.
Council - Tuesday 9th July, 2024 7.00 pm - 9 July 2024
Andrea Bilbow OBE was present at the Council meeting on July 9th, 2024. However, the minutes do not record her speaking or making any motions.
Licensing and General Purposes Committee - Monday 8th July, 2024 7.00 pm - 8 July 2024
Councillor Andrea Bilbow OBE was present at the Licensing and General Purposes Committee meeting on July 8, 2024. However, the available documents do not record her making any statements or performing any actions during the meeting.
During May 2024, Andrea Bilbow OBE was noted as having an apology for absence from the Annual Council meeting on May 21st. As a result, she was absent for votes on both the Conservative Group amendment and the Labour Group proposal concerning the budget.
Meetings in May 2024
Annual Council - Tuesday 21st May, 2024 7.00 pm - 21 May 2024
Andrea Bilbow OBE was noted as having an apology for absence from the Annual Council meeting on 2024-05-21. Consequently, she was absent for the votes on both the Conservative Group amendment and the Labour Group proposal regarding the budget.
Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
31 meetings · Page 5 of 7
Council - Tuesday 28th January, 2025 7.00 pm
The Council of Barnet Council met on Tuesday 28 January 2025. The meeting started with tributes to Councillor Eva Greenspan, and former Councillors Usha Chopra and Joe Lee who had all sadly passed away. The council then adopted the [Joint Report of the Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer (section 151 Officer)][Council cover report 28 January 2025], which detailed unlawful payments that had been made to, and from the Barnet Pension Fund. The Council delegated to the Pension Fund and Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committees the task of establishing the best way to rectify these unlawful payments, and delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer, to put those steps into effect. The council also noted the appointment of Alexa, Alina, Zahra, and Shama from Copthall Girls School to speak about the 60th anniversary of the London Borough of Barnet.
Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee - Monday 25th November, 2024 6.00 pm
This meeting was about the ongoing management of the Welsh Harp. Updates on the key work being done was scheduled to be provided by officers from both Barnet and Brent Councils, and a verbal update on the most recent work undertaken by the Canal and River Trust was also scheduled.
Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Thursday 21st November, 2024 7.00 pm
This meeting of the Adults Health and Overview and Scrutiny Subcommittee was a themed meeting about Public Health. There were detailed discussions and a presentation on the Public Health Grant, the state of adult social care in the borough, the Barnet Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2023-24, and the Adult Social Care Annual Complaints Report. The committee also received a verbal update on the Discharge to Assess Task and Finish Group Report, and received a presentation and update on the Public Health Work Plan and the renewal of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The committee noted all of the reports it received.
Licensing and General Purposes Committee - Thursday 7th November, 2024 7.00 pm
The Licensing and General Purposes Committee approved a revised Licensing Policy [^1] for the period 2025 to 2030, and recommended that it be adopted at the next full meeting of the council. The committee noted that public consultation had taken place and that 24 responses had been received. Concerns were raised about a perceived increase in male-dominated cafés, with members citing businesses such as the Toscana, Cafe 01, Tirana, and Pizreni on Vivian Avenue in Hendon. Some respondents believed these venues were intimidating to women, with one resident stating:
the Licensing and General Purposes Committee of Barnet Council
Decisions from Meetings
3 decisions
Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places 2024
From: Licensing and General Purposes Committee - Thursday 7th November, 2024 7.00 pm - November 07, 2024
Recommendations Approved
GLA Election May 2024 and UKPG Election July 2024 - Election Projects Review
From: Licensing and General Purposes Committee - Thursday 7th November, 2024 7.00 pm - November 07, 2024
Recommendations Approved
Referral from Local Pension Board - Annual Report of the Local Pension Board 2023-2024
From: Council - Tuesday 15th October, 2024 7.00 pm - October 15, 2024
Recommendations Approved
Summary
Meetings Attended: 31
Average per Month: 1.5
Decisions Recorded: 3